Dogs have an important role in the army. Do you know how army dogs are recruited, where they are trained, how long is the service, what are their duties. If you do not know, then today we are giving you complete information about it here. There are different types of dogs in the dog units of the Indian Army. These include Labradors, German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Great Mountain Swiss Dogs. In a statement given in Parliament in 2019, the Minister of State for Defense had revealed that the Army has 25 full dog units and two half units. There are 24 dogs in a full dog unit and 12 dogs in a half unit.
What kind of dogs are inducted in the Army?
The Indian Army has various breeds of dogs in its dog units. These include Labradors, German Shepherds, Belgian Malinois and Great Mountain Swiss Dogs. Axel was reportedly a Belgian Malinois breed dog.
What are the duties?
Army dogs perform a variety of duties and include guard duty, patrolling, sniffing explosives including Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), locating mines, sniffing prohibited objects including drugs, attacking potential targets, hiding Including taking part in search operations to trace the absconding fugitives and terrorists.
Handler happens to everyone
Every dog in the army has a dog handler who is responsible for taking care of the dog as well as guiding it through different means that it has to do.
Here is the training school
Army dogs are trained at Remount and Veterinary Corps Center and School in Meerut. In 1960, a dog training school was opened at this place. Depending on the breed and qualification of the dogs, different skill tests are done before they are inducted.
Dog’s salary
Dogs get rank in the army, but no salary is given. Dogs are given only diet, which is the responsibility of the dog handler. Dog handlers work in the army for a good salary.
How long do Army dogs remain in service?
Army dogs are in service for around eight years before they are retired. There was an earlier practice of euthanizing Army dogs after they were no longer in active service. An RTI reply in 2015 giving out this information had caused a public uproar following which the policy was amended.
Army dogs are no longer put to permanent sleep. A PIL had also been filed in Delhi High Court in this regard in 2016 where the then Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain had submitted a declaration saying that the policy of euthanizing the animals was being amended and that the dogs will be rehabilitated.
Do Army dogs get decorated for bravery?
In the Indian Army, animals, including dogs, are eligible to be awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Card, Vice Chief of Staff Commendation Card as well as General Officer Commanding in Chief Commendation Card for their acts of gallantry as well as distinguished service. The Dog Handlers are eligible for the gallantry medals and have been awarded Shaurya Chakra and Sena Medal for gallantry while taking part in operations with their dogs.
In the United Kingdom, the highest award for animals in military or police service is the PDSA Dickin Medal. It was instituted in 1943 by Maria Dickin, founder of People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA) for any animal displaying conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty while serving with British armed forces or civil emergency services. The bronze Dickin Medal is embossed with words ‘For Gallantry” on one side and “We Also Serve” on the other.
In the US, there is a Medal of Bravery, which is awarded to animals and was instituted in 2019. The US also has a K-9 Medal of courage which has been instituted by the American Humane Association.
Sources and References
- Zee News Hindu
- Indian Express